By MARK REY MONTEJO
Matty Erolon showed nerves of steel and lifted Adamson to a 97-96 overtime win over University of Santo Tomas to stretch their winning streak to four in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Wednesday, Oct. 29.
Down by two, 94-96, with eight seconds left, Erolon did not hesitate when given the time to shine, burying a booming trey off a pass from Monty Montebon, who earlier saved the Soaring Falcons in the regulation.
Though Erolon missed his gift shot after being fouled by Nic Cabañero with 2.6 ticks, the Tigers failed to make a clear shot and absorbed their third straight defeat.
The San Marcelino-based squad improved to 5-4 to level with UST at fourth in the standings.
“I thanked them for not giving up. I go back to the first round sabi ko ‘paano namin tatalunin ang UST? Kapag nakatono,” said Adamson chief mentor Nash Racela. “Today, we were out of tune, it was a struggle, it’s good that our players played for each other,” he added.
It also reaffirmed Adamson’s mastery of UST after the former pulled off a 69-59 stunner last Oct. 18, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aside from Erolon, who scored five of his nine points in overtime, and Montebon, Ray Allen Torres caught fire with 20 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting, while Earl Medina poured in 10 points. Montebon and Cedrick Manzano had 19 apiece.
“Nakita ko ‘yong pagsalo ko ng bola, shoot with confidence lang talaga ako,” said Erolon.
Collins Akowe listed 19 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocks but all his efforts went down the drain.
Mark Llemit chipped in 18 points, white Kyle Paranada and Forthsky both notched 14 points.
Cabañero, for his part, had a quiet 10-point output in a defeat that put their semis bud in peril.
Meanwhile, De La Salle University banked on its second-half surge and held off University of the East, 84-72, to clinch its fourth straight win.
The Green Archers, who showed promise without injured Mason Amos and Kean Baclaan, went off to a 75-55 lead and preserved it despite some fightback from the Red Warriors to improve their tally to 6-3 and level with the reigning champion University of the Philippines.
Luis Pablo topscored for the Taft-based squad with 16 points with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and block. Mike Phillips chalked up 14 points and 12 rebounds along with two assists, two steals and one block, while Jacob Cortez unloaded 12.
UE, for its part, absorbed its ninth loss as it was still missing the services of head coach Chris Gavina and Wello Lingolingo due to suspensions.
The scores (Adamson-UST):
AdU (97) – Torres 20, Montebon 19, Manzano 19, Medina 10, Erolon 9, Anabo 8, Fransman 5, Ojarikre 4, A. Ronzone 3, Tumaneng 0, Perez 0, Demisana 0, Jaymalin 0, Cañete 0, Barcelona 0.
UST (96) – Akowe 19, Llemit 18, Padrigao 14, Paranada 14, Cabañero 10, Acido 8, Crisostomo 8, Estacio 3, Danting 2, Laure 0, Calum 0.
Quarterscores: 23-20, 47-42, 59-64, 89-89, 97-96.
The scores (La Salle-UE):
DLSU (84) – Pablo 16, Phillips 14, Cortez 12, Dungo 9, Macalalag 8, Gollena 8, Marasigan 6, Abadam 4, Gomez 3, Daep 2, Quines 2, Nwankwo 0, Dagdag 0, Melencio 0.
UE (72) – Abate 20, Momowei 20, Cruz-Dumont 8, Robles 7, Despi 6, Caoile 4, Lagat 3, Datumalim 2, Cabero 2, Jimenez 0, Tañedo 0, Mulingtapang 0, Malaga 0.
Quarterscores: 25-19, 43-36, 59-50, 84-72.
